‘Prepare for the Worst’ – Hurricane Irma – 11am Update

CDN – http://www.conservativedailynews.com

By Rich Mitchell

The newest National Weather Service forecast predicts a catastrophic track for Hurricane Irma which has led Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to issue new evacuation orders for certain areas of those states.

This is the most up to date story on Irma but see all of our Irma coverage HERE.

Hurricane Irma’s Current Position and Track

The national weather service is currently forecasting landfall in southern Florida. Irma is forecast to first make landfall over Plantation Key then just south of Homestead on the mainland before tracking up the peninsula into Georgia then Tennessee.

1100 AST/EDT (1500 UTC) Update from National Weather Service

• Location: 22.0 N, 75.3 W – 68 miles NE of Guadalavaca, Cuba
• Strength: 150 mph max sustained winds (Category 4)
• Movement: WNW (285 deg.) at 14 mph
• Pressure: 927 mb and rising which may indicate weakening

*next update at 2pm EDT – check our Irma update page for new information

The latest satellite imagery shows the clearly defined eyewall and strong outflow expected from a storm of this intensity.

Irma is a strong category four storm and is expected to weaken to a maximum intensity category four hurricane with 145 to 150 mph winds over the next 48 hours as it skirts Cuba and the Bahamas before making landfall in Florida.

Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles (295 km).

Computer Models for Hurricane Irma

Computer models are closing in on an east Florida solution. Irma is going to, in one way or another, be catastrophic for the Sunshine State.

Early cycle model consensus forecasts that Irma will ride up the center of the Florida peninsula – a nightmare scenario for the state.

The late cycle model consensus forecasts a path even more dangerous for Floridians as it puts the eye over Orlando and Jacksonville after a direct hit on Miami.

The intensity models are all over the place so Irma’s strength as she approaches Florida is in question.

U.S. Impacts

The current U.S. portion of Irma’s track shows a glancing blow near Miami and a track straight up the peninsula and through Georgia.

Florida

The National Weather Service forecasts a direct hit to southeast Florida south of Miami.

Florida has declared a state of emergency and multiple areas have been ordered to evacuate immediately.

• EVACUATIONS AND SHELTERS
  • Based on recent forecasts, the US Army Corps has been reviewing how the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike will be impacted. Governor Scott spoke to Col. Jason Kirk with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today and the Corps. believes there will be additional impacts from excessive wind pushing some water over the Dike. While they have assured the Governor that the structural integrity of the Dike will not be compromised, Governor Scott has ordered voluntary evacuations beginning immediately in the cities surrounding the southern half of Lake Okeechobee from Lake Port to Canal Point in Hendry, Palm Beach and Glades counties. Mandatory evacuations will be put in place for these communities beginning tomorrow morning. Information regarding transportation and sheltering will be released tomorrow morning. This decision was made due to Governor Scott’s sole focus on life safety as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida. The seven cities affected by these orders are as follows:
  • South Bay
  • Lake Harbor
  • Pahokee
  • Moore Haven
  • Clewiston
  • Belle Glade
  • Canal Point
  • Brevard – mandatory evacuations for Zone A, Merritt Island, barrier islands, and some low-lying mainland areas along Indian River Lagoon beginning Friday
  • Broward – voluntary evacuations mobile homes and low-lying areas; mandatory East of Federal Highway including barrier islands beginning Thursday
  • Collier – mandatory evacuations for Goodland, Everglades City, Chokoloskee, all mobile homes beginning on Friday
  • Flagler – mandatory evacuations for nursing homes, all varieties of assisted living facilities, and community residential group homes within coastal and Intracoastal areas and voluntary for zones A, B, C, F beginning on Thursday; mandatory for Zones A,B,C,F, and substandard housing beginning on Saturday
  • Hendry – voluntary evacuations for low-lying areas, non-slab-built homes, mobile home and RVs beginning on Thursday
  • Lee – mandatory evacuations for barrier islands – Bonita Beach, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Island beginning on Friday AM
  • Manatee – voluntary evacuations for Zone A
  • Martin – voluntary evacuations for mandatory for barrier islands, manufactured homes, and low-lying areas beginning Saturday
  • Miami-Dade – mandatory evacuations for all of Zone A, all of Zone B, and portions of Zone C. Miami Dade residents can find their zones by clicking HERE.
  • Monroe – mandatory evacuations for visitors and residents. A dedicated transportation hotline is available specifically for individuals in the Keys at 305-517-2480
  • Palm Beach – mandatory evacuations for Zone A and B, voluntary for Zone C
  • Pinellas – mandatory evacuations all mobile home and Zone A
  • St. Lucie – voluntary evacuations
  • School buses are available for transportation needs in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. At this time, Monroe has accepted 10 buses to help with evacuations, Miami-Dade Counties are using these services to help evacuate those with special needs and Broward has buses on stand-by.
  • Additional evacuations are expected throughout the state. All Floridians should pay close attention to local alerts and follow the directions of local officials.
  • Shelters are continuing to open, including shelters for people with special needs, pets and general populations. DOH is coordinating the set up and staffing for special needs shelters. A list of all open shelters will be available at floridadisaster.org/shelters.
  • The state is working with the American Red Cross to identify shelter capacity both during and following the storm.

Floridians should start preparing now to either shelter-in-place or evacuate. As Irma tracks towards Florida, additional evacuations will likely be posted. Don’t wait until the last minute and please listen to local authorities for instructions.

Georgia

Georgia has declared a state of emergency. Gov. Nathan Deal issued a mandatory evacuation order Thursday for all areas east of I-95 and other parts of the state’s coast as Hurricane Irma barrels toward Florida and Georgia with potentially catastrophic force.

“I encourage all Georgians in our coastal areas that could be impacted by this storm to evacuate the area as soon as possible,” Deal said. “Beginning Saturday, a mandatory evacuation order will take effect for Chatham County, all areas east of I-95 and some areas west of I-95 that could be impacted by this catastrophic hurricane and storm surge. GEMA/HS continues leading our preparedness efforts as we coordinate with federal, state and local officials to safely evacuate the coastal areas, provide public shelter and minimize the disruption of traffic. Finally, I ask all Georgians to join me in praying for the safety of our people and all those in Hurricane Irma’s path.”

South Carolina

South Carolina has declared a state of emergency, no evacuation orders are in place.

Gov. Henry McMaster said he plans on issuing mandatory coastal evacuations starting at 10 a.m. Saturday along with a complete lane reversal of Interstate 26 from Charleston to Columbia as Hurricane Irma heads toward South Carolina.

“Now is the time to prepare,” McMaster warned during a news conference at the S.C. Emergency Management Division headquarters on Wednesday. “When it’s too late, it’s too late and that’s when we have a lot sadness.”

North Carolina

Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency for North Carolina. No evacuations have been ordered.

Watches and Warnings

Areas under storm surge watch

* Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita
Beach
* Florida Keys

Areas under Hurricane Warning

* Dominican Republic from Cabo Frances Viejo to the northern border
with Haiti
* Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le
Mole St. Nicholas
* Southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
* Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and
Villa Clara
* Central Bahamas
* Northwestern Bahamas

Areas under Hurricane Watch

* Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita
Beach
* Florida Keys
* Lake Okeechobee
* Florida Bay
* Cuban provinces of Guantanamo,Holguin, Las Tunas and Matanzas.

Areas under Tropical Storm Warning

* Dominican Republic from south of Cabo Engano westward to the
southern border with Haiti
* Haiti from south of Le Mole St. Nicholas to Port-Au-Prince
* Cuban provinces of Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas.

Areas under Tropical Storm Watch

* None

What to Expect from Hurricane Irma

STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water is expected to reach the following HEIGHTS ABOVE GROUND if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Jupiter Inlet to Bonita Beach, including Florida Keys…5 to 10 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds, where the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. For information specific to your area, please see products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.

The combination of a life-threatening storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS by the following amounts within the hurricane warning area near and to the north of the center of Irma. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

• Turks and Caicos Islands…15 to 20 ft
• Southeastern and central Bahamas…15 to 20 ft
• Northwestern Bahamas…5 to 10 ft
• Northern coast of the Dominican Republic…3 to 5 ft
• Northern coast of Haiti and the Gulf of Gonave…1 to 3 ft
• Northern coast of Cuba in the warning area…5 to 10 ft

WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to continue within the hurricane warning area in the Dominican Republic and Haiti tonight. Hurricane conditions already affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are beginning in the southeastern Bahamas and will spread into the central Bahamas by tonight or early Friday. Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area along the north coast of Cuba late
Friday and Saturday. Hurricane conditions are expected in the northwestern Bahamas Friday night and Saturday.

Hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area in Florida by Sunday, with tropical storm conditions possible by late Saturday.

RAINFALL: Irma is expected to produce the following rain accumulations through Saturday evening:

• Northeast Puerto Rico and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands… additional 1 to 2 inches
• Much of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos…8 to 12 inches, isolated 20 inches
• Andros Island and Bimini, Bahamas…12 to 16 inches, isolated 25 inches
• Northern Dominican Republic and northern Haiti…4 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches
• Southern Dominican Republic and southern Haiti…2 to 5 inches
• Eastern and central Cuba…4 to 10 inches, isolated 15 inches
• Southeast Florida and the upper Florida Keys…8 to 12 inches, isolated 20 inches
• Lower Florida Keys…2 to 5 inches

In all areas this rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

SURF: Swells generated by Irma are affecting the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the southeastern Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, and should start affecting portions of the southeast coast of the United States later today and tonight. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

When to Expect Hurricane Irma and Where

INIT 08/0300Z 21.3N 72.4W 145 KT 165 MPH
12H 08/1200Z 21.8N 74.4W 145 KT 165 MPH – 103 Miles NE of Banes, Cuba
24H 09/0000Z 22.3N 76.7W 140 KT 160 MPH – 114 miles SE of The Bahamas
36H 09/1200Z 22.9N 78.6W 135 KT 155 MPH – 222 miles SE of Miami, FL
48H 10/0000Z 23.7N 79.9W 135 KT 155 MPH – 142 miles from Miami, FL
57H 10/0900Z —- Landfall Florida —–
72H 11/0000Z 27.2N 81.1W 100 KT 115 MPH…INLAND – 44 miles west of Port St. Lucie
96H 12/0000Z 32.0N 83.5W 50 KT 60 MPH…INLAND – 57 miles south of Macon, GA
120H 13/0000Z 35.5N 86.5W 30 KT 35 MPH…INLAND – 49 miles SSW of Nashville, TN

The article ‘Prepare for the Worst’ – Hurricane Irma – 11am Update is original content from Conservative Daily News.

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